Electronic apparatus, control method thereof, remote control apparatus, and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

An electronic apparatus, control method thereof, remote control apparatus that controls the electronic apparatus, and control method thereof. The remote control apparatus includes a communication unit which communicates with the electronic apparatus; a user input unit which receives a user button selection indicating an input button; a sensing unit which senses movement of the remote control apparatus; and a control unit which controls the communication unit to transmit information about the user button selection to perform a function corresponding to the input button if the remote control apparatus is in a button input mode, and to transmit information about the movement of the remote control apparatus to the electronic apparatus to control the electronic apparatus by the movement if the remote control apparatus is in a motion recognition mode. Accordingly, controlling a game or a multimedia content is easier, and the user is provided with a new and interesting experience.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/769,035 filed Feb. 15, 2013, which is continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/694,867 filed Jan. 27, 2010, which claimspriority from Korean Patent Applications No. 10-2009-0083204, filed Sep.3, 2009 and No. 10-2009-0123955, filed Dec. 14, 2009, in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosures of all these listedapplications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate tocontrolling an electronic apparatus, and more particularly, to anintegrated operation remote controller for a digital TV sensing a motionof a user performing a pointing function by moving a cursor displayed ona TV or sensing a motion of the user by adding a motion sensor to anexisting button input type remote controller.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a TV, a function such as a channel change, a volume adjustment, etc.is performed by pressing a button on a remote controller. In aconventional TV, a menu with options provided to a user is simple, andonly limited services are provided to the user such as viewing broadcastcontent. However, nowadays, a TV is capable of playing multimediacontent or replaying previously broadcast content, providing a game, andfurthermore, being connected to an internet to supply various web basedservices. The TV itself has been developed to perform these variousfunctions, but it is difficult for a user to easily and conveniently usethese various services by using a conventional remote controller whichhas limited functionality and which has been designed to handleconventional TVs.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide anintegrated operation remote controller for a digital TV sensing a motionof a user to perform a pointing function by moving a cursor in a TV or amotion recognizing function by adding a motion sensor to an existingbutton input type remote controller.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present disclosure can beachieved by providing a remote control apparatus which controls anelectronic apparatus, the remote control apparatus including: acommunication unit which communicates with the electronic apparatus; auser input unit which receives a user button selection; a sensing unitwhich senses a movement of the remote control apparatus; and a controlunit which controls the communication unit to transmit information aboutthe user button selection in case of a button input mode in which afunction corresponding to an input button is performed, and to transmitinformation about the movement of the remote control apparatus to theelectronic apparatus in case of a motion recognition mode in which theelectronic apparatus is controlled by a movement.

Another aspect of the present disclosure may be achieved by providing anelectronic apparatus which is controlled by a remote control apparatus,the electronic apparatus including: an image processing unit whichprocesses an image to display; a communication unit which communicateswith the remote control apparatus; and a control unit which operates ina button input mode in which a function corresponding to an input buttonis performed if the communication unit receives information about a userbutton selection, and operates in a motion recognition mode in which theelectronic apparatus is controlled by a movement if the communicationunit receives information about a movement of the remote controlapparatus.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure may be achieved byproviding a control method of a remote control apparatus, including:receiving a button selection from a user; sensing a movement of theremote control apparatus; and transmitting information about the buttonselection from the user to an electronic apparatus in case of a buttoninput mode in which a function corresponding to an input button isperformed, and transmitting information about a movement of the remotecontrol apparatus to the electronic apparatus in case of a motionrecognition mode in which the electronic apparatus is controlled by amovement.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure may be achieved byproviding a control method of an electronic apparatus, including:communicating with a remote control apparatus; receiving at least one ofinformation about a button selection from a user and information about amovement of the remote control apparatus; and operating in a buttoninput mode in which a function corresponding to an input button isperformed if information about a button selection from a user isreceived, and operating in a motion recognition mode in which theelectronic apparatus is controlled by a movement if information about amovement of the remote control apparatus is received.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects of the present disclosure will becomeapparent and more readily appreciated by describing in detail exemplaryembodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a remotecontrol apparatus and an electronic apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmittedpacket if the remote control apparatus operates in a button input modeaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.2B is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmitted packet ifthe remote control apparatus operates in a motion recognition modeaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a control process of the remotecontrol apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a control process of the electronicapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a schematic type embodied by the remotecontrol apparatus and the electronic apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views illustrating various types of motionrecognition modes embodied by the remote control apparatus and theelectronic apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating a schematic control process ofa remote control apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a control process of a remotecontrol apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examplesof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The exemplaryembodiments are described below so as to explain the present inventionby referring to the figures. Repetitive description with respect to likeelements of different embodiments may be omitted for the convenience ofclarity.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a remotecontrol apparatus and an electronic apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

A remote control apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention may be a remote controller, a mobile terminal, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), an input device, a pointing device,etc. Also, as long the control device includes a motion sensor capableof sensing movement of a remote control apparatus 100, and capable ofremotely controlling an electronic apparatus 150, the control device maybe employed as the remote control apparatus 100.

A conventional remote controller just performs one way communicationtransmitting a control signal to an electronic apparatus. However, theremote control apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment maysupport a two way communication providing an interface capable of a twoway interaction with a user.

The electronic apparatus 150 according to an exemplary embodiment may bea digital TV, a monitor, a desk top computer, a note book, etc. Also, aslong as the device is capable of being controlled by the remote controlapparatus 100, the device may be the electronic apparatus 150.

Hereinafter, the exemplary remote control apparatus 100 and theexemplary electronic apparatus 150 will be described in detail.

The remote control apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodimentmay include a communication unit 102, a user input unit 104, a sensingunit 106, a power supplying unit 108 and a control unit 110.

The communication unit 102 may perform a two way communication with theelectronic apparatus 150. In detail, the communication unit 102 mayperform an infrared ray communication, a bluetooth communication, alocal area network (LAN) communication, a zigbee communication, etc.with the electronic apparatus 150.

The user input unit 104 may receive a button selection from a user. Thebutton selection may be an operation of inputting a predetermined keyprovided on the remote control apparatus 100.

The sensing unit 106 may sense movement of the remote control apparatus100. For this, the sensing unit 106 may include at least one of a gyrosensor, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor and ageomagnetic sensor. The above motion sensors may convert a sensed motioninto an electric signal. The movement of the remote control apparatus100 may include a pointing motion to a predetermined area of theelectronic apparatus 150 and some other predetermined movement type.Also, the movement of the remote control apparatus 100 may include athree dimensional movement.

The control unit 110 may control an operation and a functionalperformance of the remote control apparatus 100, and perform anoperation processing, etc. therefor. For this, the control unit 110 mayinclude an operation processing block, a memory block, an electric powercontrol block, etc. In this case, the control unit 110 may perform aprogrammed, control algorithm, stored in each memory block, and executedin the operation processing block.

The control unit 110 may control the communication unit 102 to transmitinformation about user's button selection to the electronic apparatus150 in case the remote control is in a button input mode in which afunction corresponding to an input button is performed, and to transmitinformation about a movement of the remote control apparatus 100 to theelectronic apparatus 150 in case the remote control is in a motionrecognition mode in which the electronic apparatus 150 is controlled bya movement. In detail, the control unit 110 may transmit a packetincluding a field about user's button selection, or may transmit apacket including a field about movement of the remote control apparatus100. Exemplary types of the packet will be described later by referringto FIGS. 2A and 2B.

In case of the motion recognition mode, the control unit 110 may controlthe communication unit 102 to transmit all information about user'sbutton selection and movement of the remote control apparatus 100 to theelectronic apparatus 150.

The control unit 110 may control the communication unit 102 to transmitinformation about an operation mode of the remote control unit 100together with input in this mode if information about a user's buttonselection or information about movement of the remote control apparatus100 is transmitted to the electronic apparatus 150. In detail, theremote control apparatus 100 may have a packet that includes a fieldabout an operation mode of the remote control apparatus 100 in additionto a field about a user's button selection and/or to a field aboutmovement of the remote control apparatus 100.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the control unit 110 may operatein the button input mode or the motion recognition mode depending oninformation received from the electronic apparatus 150. For example, thecontrol unit 110 may determine the operation mode based on the type ofcontents received from the electronic apparatus 150. If a user executesa game, the remote control apparatus 100 may operate in the motionrecognition mode. Also, by default, while the control unit 110 does notreceive information from the electronic apparatus 150, the control unit110 may operate in the button input mode.

If the remote control apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodimentoperates in the motion recognition mode, electric power is constantlysupplied from a power source that is maintained in an active state to amotion sensor such as a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, etc. forrecognizing a pointing location or sensing a movement. Accordingly,since the power consumption of a battery increases, battery's usage timeis reduced in comparison to operating the remote control in a buttononly mode.

To solve this problem, if a user controls a TV by only using buttons ofa remote controller, in an exemplary embodiment, the remote controlsenses this and automatically converts the state of a motion sensor intoa power save mode. Also, only in case of using a pointing recognitionfunction or a motion recognition function, the electric power issupplied to the motion sensor by a source which is converted into apower active state, thereby minimizing the power consumption of thebattery.

For this, the remote control apparatus 100 may include the powersupplying unit (source) 108 supplying an electric power to the sensingunit 106.

The control unit 110 may control the power supplying unit 108 to blockelectric power supplied to the sensing unit 106 i.e. changing thesensing unit 106 into a power saving state if the remote controlapparatus 100 is in a button input mode. In this case, the control unit110 may determine which mode to operate in (the button input mode or themotion recognition mode) depending on at least one of a function and aproperty of an application executed by the electronic apparatus 150.

Even in case the remote control apparatus 100 operates in the motionrecognition mode, the control unit 110 may control the power supplyingunit 108 to switch to the power saving state if movement of the remotecontrol apparatus 100 is not sensed during a predetermined time period.

Alternatively, the sensing unit 106 may sense movement of the remotecontrol apparatus 100 in a sleep state. In case of the sleep state, thecontrol unit 110 may control the power supplying unit 108 to supply aminimum electric power of a predetermined level to the sensing unit 106just for sensing movement. In this case, the control unit 110 managesthe electric power with the following operations.

At first, operating in the motion recognition mode, the control unit 110controls the power supplying unit 108 to switch to the sleep state ifmovement of the remote control apparatus 100 is not sensed during apredetermined time.

Then, in the sleep state, the control unit 110 controls the powersupplying unit 108 to switch to the power saving state if movement ofthe remote control apparatus 100 is not sensed during anotherpredetermined time period.

In the sleep state, the control unit 110 may also control the powersupplying unit 108 to switch to a power active state in which anelectric power is supplied to the sensing unit 106 if movement of theremote control apparatus 100 is sensed.

The electronic apparatus 150 according to an exemplary embodiment mayinclude an image processing unit 152, a communication unit 154 and acontrol unit 156.

The image processing unit 152 may process and display an image. In thiscase, the image processing unit 152 may include a display panel embodiedby a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode(OLED), a plasma display panel (PDP), etc.

The communication unit 154 may perform a two way communication with theremote control apparatus 100. In detail, the communication unit 154 mayperform an infrared ray communication, a bluetooth communication, alocal area network (LAN) communication, a zigbee communication, etc.with the remote control apparatus 100.

If the communication unit 154 receives information about a user's buttonselection, the control unit 156 may operate in a button input modeperforming a function corresponding to the input button. Also, if thecommunication unit 154 receives information about movement of the remotecontrol apparatus 100, the control unit 156 may operate in a motionrecognition mode controlling the electronic apparatus 150 by using thereceived movement.

The movement of the remote control apparatus 100 may include a threedimensional movement.

If the electronic apparatus 150 is turned on, the control unit 156 maycontrol the communication unit 154 to transmit to the remote controlapparatus 100 information about at least one of a function, anapplication and content which the electronic apparatus 150 is currentlyexecuting.

If information about a user's button selection or information aboutmovement of the remote control apparatus 100 is received, the controlunit 156 may also receive information about an operation mode of theremote control unit 100. In this case, the control unit 156 may operatein the button input mode or the motion recognition mode by referring tothe received information about the operation mode of the remote controlapparatus 100.

The control unit 156 may control the image processing unit 152 todisplay a pointing cursor in case the remote control apparatus 100operates in the motion recognition mode.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmittedpacket if the remote control apparatus operates in the button input modeaccording to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a diagramillustrating a configuration of a transmitted packet if the remotecontrol apparatus operates in the motion recognition mode according toan exemplary embodiment.

A header field 210 informs of the start of the transmission signal.

A mode field 220 discerns the mode of the remote control apparatus 100.In detail, the mode field 220 includes data discerning whether theremote control apparatus is in the button input mode and the motionrecognition mode.

A button data field 230 provides information about a user's buttonselection. For example, information about which button was pressed maybe provided.

A sensor data field 240 provides information about a sensed movement ofthe remote control apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. 2B.

Another info field 250 provides other data necessary for a remotecontrol, and a checksum field 260 includes data confirming whether atransmission was successful.

If the remote control apparatus 100 operates in the button input mode,the remote control apparatus 100 may transmit information about a user'sbutton selection to the electronic apparatus 150. In this case,information about movement of the remote control apparatus 100 is nottransmitted. Referring to FIG. 2A, in this case, only the button datafield 230 is included in a transmitted packet, and there is no sensordata field 240.

If the remote control apparatus 100 operates in the motion recognitionmode, the remote control apparatus 100 may transmit information aboutmovement of the remote control apparatus 100 to the electronic apparatus150. Furthermore, the remote control apparatus 100 may also transmitinformation about a user's button selection and information aboutmovement of the remote control apparatus 100 to the electronic apparatus150. Referring to FIG. 2B, in this case, both the button data field 230and the sensor data field 240 are provided in a transmitted packet.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a control process of the remotecontrol apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

The remote control apparatus 100 determines an operation mode (S301).

According to an exemplary embodiment, the remote control apparatus 100may operate in a button input mode or a motion recognition modedepending on information received from the electronic apparatus 150.That is, the operation mode of the remote control apparatus 100 may bedetermined by the information received from the electronic apparatus150, and may basically operate in the button input mode if noinformation is received. In detail, the remote control apparatus 100 maydetermine whether to operate in the button input mode or the motionrecognition mode depending on at least one of a function, a property ofan application and a type of contents which the electronic apparatus 150executes.

Alternatively, the electronic apparatus 150 may determine the buttoninput mode or the motion recognition mode depending on a menu of theelectronic apparatus 150, and may transmit information thereabout to theremote control apparatus 100.

The remote control apparatus 100 receives a user's button selection, orsenses movement of the remote control apparatus 100. The remote controlapparatus 100 may perform both operations.

In case of the button input mode (S302), the remote control apparatus100 transmits information about the user's button selection to theelectronic apparatus 150 (S303). In detail, the remote control apparatus100 may transmit a packet which includes the button data field 230providing information about the user's button selection.

In case of the motion recognition mode (S312), the remote controlapparatus 100 transmits information about movement of the remote controlapparatus 100 (S313). In detail, the remote control apparatus 100 maytransmit a packet which includes the sensor data field 240 providinginformation about the movement of the remote control apparatus 100.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a control process of the electronicapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

The electric power source of the electronic apparatus 150 is turned on(S401). In detail, a user may turn on the electric power source of theelectronic apparatus 150 with a remote controller apparatus 100.According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic apparatus 150 maybe set to operate in the button input mode when the electric powersource is turned off.

When the electronic power source is turned on, the electronic apparatus150 transmits information to the remote control apparatus 100 (S402). Indetail, the electronic apparatus 150 may transmit information about atleast one of a function, an application and a content which theelectronic apparatus 150 is currently executing to the remote controlapparatus 100. Based on the information, the remote control apparatus100 may determine whether to operate in the button input mode or themotion recognition mode.

Alternatively, in the electronic apparatus 150, an operation mode may bedetermined depending on a menu of the electronic apparatus 150, andinformation about the determined operation mode may be transmitted tothe remote control apparatus 100.

The electronic apparatus 150 receives data from the remote controlapparatus 100 (S403).

In this case, the electronic apparatus 150 determines an operation mode(S404). In detail, the mode field 220 in the received data provides modeinformation to the remote control apparatus 100.

In case of the button input mode (S405), the electronic apparatus 150receives information about a the user's button selection (S406). In thiscase, the electronic apparatus 150 performs a function corresponding tothe input button (S407). In detail, an operation by an input buttonsignal may be performed in the application.

In case of the motion recognition mode (S415), the electronic apparatus150 receives information about movement of the remote control apparatus100 (S416). In this case, the electronic apparatus 150 controls theelectronic apparatus 150 to implement instructions corresponding to themovement (S417). In detail, an operation result of pointing coordinateand motion may be generated out of the sensed movement, and variouscontrols with respect to the application may be performed by using thisoperation result.

Furthermore, the electronic apparatus 150 may display a pointer or apointing cursor in the application.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a schematic type embodied by the remotecontrol apparatus and the electronic apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment.

A user accesses a menu that accepts selection of an item on the TV via apointing function implemented using an integrated operation remotecontroller. In this case, if the user moves the remote controller up anddown and right and left, the remote controller senses user's movementwith a motion sensor. The remote controller converts a sensed signalinto a position coordinate through a pointing algorithm, and theposition coordinate is displayed on the TV.

Referring to FIG. 5, the electronic apparatus 150 concurrently displaysa broadcasting screen and a game application. A user may operate theremote control apparatus 100 in the motion recognition mode to performthe game application. For example, if the user moves the remote controlapparatus 100 in a direction a, a pointer moves in a vertical directionon a three-dimension, and if the user moves the remote control apparatus100 in a direction b, the pointer moves in a direction of axis Y on atwo-dimensional plane, and if the user moves the remote controlapparatus 100 in a direction c, the pointer moves in a direction of axisX on a two-dimensional plane.

Depending on a user's selection, it is possible to operate the remotecontrol apparatus 100 in the motion recognition mode to control ageneral function of the TV. For example, it is possible to vary achannel moving degree depending on a moving angle of the remote controlapparatus 100 in the vertical direction. Where a degree of a movingangle after the remote control apparatus 100 is moved vertically is 30degrees, the TV is moved vertically by two channels. Where a degree of amoving angle after the remote control apparatus 100 is 60 degrees, theTV can be moved vertically by four channels.

When a user intends to use the TV in a conventional way i.e., byperforming the general function, the remote controller may perform abutton input function. For example, if the user switches to view abroadcasting by using the remote control apparatus 100, the remotecontrol apparatus 100 may switch to a next channel up by using a channelup key.

The electronic apparatus 150 controlled by the remote control apparatus100 may perform a function corresponding to an input button, or maycontrol the electronic apparatus 150 to correspond to a movement of theremote control.

In case of selecting a menu displayed on a TV or performing a game byusing a button type remote controller, a user moves to a wanted spot byusing a four direction key. In this case, since only gradual movement ispossible, it is impossible to move to a wanted spot at once like using amouse in a personal computer. Also, since the same infrared (IR) signalis transmitted several times for a stable input of a key, it isinappropriate to perform an application such as a game, etc. because aninput speed of a key is slow.

According to an exemplary embodiment, in this case, the remote controlapparatus 100 operates in the motion recognition mode, thereby embodyinga user interface (UI) appropriate to the property of the application.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views illustrating various types of menus for motionrecognition mode embodied by the remote control apparatus and theelectronic apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

In an exemplary embodiment, a three-dimensional movement may be sensedby using a remote controller including a motion sensor, and informationabout this movement may be transmitted to a TV. Accordingly, a multimedia content of a UI, a game, etc. of a three-dimensional typedisplayed in the TV can be controlled.

Referring to FIG. 6A, a three-dimensional menu type is displayed on a TVscreen. In this case, a user may control a three-dimensional type of UIby moving the remote controller on a two-dimensional plane or athree-dimensional plane. For example, a user may move the remotecontroller on a two-dimensional plane to select a menu A or a menu B.Also, a user may move the remote controller up and down on athree-dimensional plane to select a sub menu 1, a sub menu 2, etc.belonging to the menu A or a menu B.

Referring to FIG. 6B, a game screen is displayed on a TV screen. In thiscase, a user may control a three-dimensional type game application bymoving the remote controller on a two-dimensional plane or athree-dimensional plane. For example, a user may move the remotecontroller up and down on a three-dimensional plane to raise or lowerthe position of a ball on a step by a step basis. A user may move theremote controller right and left on a two-dimensional plane to move theball right and left on the same step.

As described above, according to FIGS. 6A and 6B, movement of a remotecontroller on a three-dimensional plane is sensed to precisely control aUI or a three-dimensional type of content.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating a schematic control process ofa remote control apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating the case of using a general motionsensor according to an exemplary embodiment.

In case of operating in a button input mode, the remote controlapparatus 100 is switched to a power save state. In detail, an electricpower supplied to the sensing unit 106 is blocked to switch the remotecontrol apparatus 100 to the power save state. Also, just button data istransmitted, as information, to the electronic apparatus 150, therebyminimizing power consumption.

In case of operating in a motion recognition mode, the remote controlapparatus 100 is switched to a power active state. Also, button data anddata about a sensed movement are all included in information transmittedto the electronic apparatus 150. The remote control apparatus 100 isswitched to the power save state if there is no movement of the remotecontrol apparatus 100 during a predetermined time period when itoperates in the motion recognition mode.

Furthermore, the remote control apparatus 100 may be reciprocallyswitched to the power save state or the power active state depending ona function and a property of application being executed by theelectronic apparatus 150.

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating the case of using a motion sensorcapable of sensing motion in a sleep state where minimum electric poweris consumed according to an exemplary embodiment.

Recently, owing to development of a micro-electromechanical system(MEMS) technology, a motion sensor capable of sensing movement in astate of consuming minimum electric power (that is, a sleep state) forperforming a specific function has been released. By using this motionsensor, movement can be sensed in the sleep state which consumes aminimum current.

In case of operating in a button input mode, the remote controlapparatus 100 is switched to a power save state, or maintains the powersave state.

In case of operating in a motion recognition mode, the remote controlapparatus 100 is switched to a power active state, or maintains thepower active state. If there is no movement during a predetermined time,the remote control apparatus 100 is switched to the sleep state. Indetail, only minimum electric power to sense a movement may be suppliedto the sensing unit 106. If then there is no movement during apredetermined time in the sleep state, the remote control apparatus 100is switched to the power save state. If movement is sensed in the sleepstate, the remote control apparatus 100 may be switched to the poweractive state. For example, if a user grasps a remote controller or movesin a specific direction, the power active mode is entered to perform thefunction indicated by the remote controller.

For this, the sensing unit 106 may monitor user's movement or themovement of the remote control unit 100 for a specific period of time.

According to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7B, if there isno movement during a predetermined period of time when the remotecontrol apparatus 100 operates in the motion recognition mode, theremote control apparatus 100 is switched to the sleep state or the powersave state. Also, in case of the sleep state, the remote controlapparatus 100 supplies to the motion sensor only minimum electric powerrequired for sensing a movement. Accordingly, the power consumption canbe minimized, and an efficient electric power management can beperformed.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a control process of a remotecontrol apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

The remote control apparatus 100 determines an operation mode (S801).According to an exemplary embodiment, the remote control apparatus 100may determine the operation mode based on information received from theelectronic apparatus 150. In detail, the remote control apparatus 100may determine which mode to operate in i.e., a button input mode or amotion recognition mode, based on information about at least one of afunction, an application and content executed by the electronicapparatus 150.

In case of operating in the button input mode (S802), the remote controlapparatus 100 maintains the sensing unit 106 in a power save state, orswitches to the power save state (S803). Also, only information providedby the button input is transmitted to the electronic apparatus 150. Inthis case, if a user inputs a button (S804), the remote controlapparatus 100 transmits the input button information to the electronicapparatus 150 (S805).

In case of the motion recognition mode (S812), the remote controlapparatus 100 maintains or switches the sensing unit 106 to a poweractive state (S813). Also, all of the button information and themovement information may be transmitted to the electronic apparatus 150.In this case, if a user inputs a movement (S814), the remote controlapparatus 100 transmits the recognized movement information to theelectronic apparatus 150 (S815).

Also, when transmitting the button information and/or the movementinformation to the electronic apparatus 150, the remote controlapparatus 100 may also transmit a mode information indicating which ofthe two modes is currently being used.

As described above, according to an exemplary embodiment, pointing inputand motion input are performed by using a remote controller, therebyeasily controlling a game or multimedia content, and furthermore,providing a new and entertaining experience to a user.

Also, a state of a motion sensor provided to a remote controller isreciprocally switched to a power save/active state and a sleep state,thereby performing an intelligent power management without a separatecontrol by a user to extend the usage time of a battery.

Although a few exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be madein these exemplary embodiments without departing from the principles andspirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic apparatus which is configured totransmit remote control information to an external device, theelectronic apparatus comprising: a user input interface configured toreceive a user input; a sensing unit configured to sense a movement ofthe electronic apparatus, the sensing unit comprising at least one of agyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a geomagnetic sensor; acommunication unit configured to establish communication with theexternal device and a control unit configured to control the electronicapparatus to transmit information corresponding to the sensed movementof the electronic apparatus to the external device, to control thesensing unit to operate in a power saving mode in response to detectinga predefined user input via the user input interface, to control theelectronic apparatus to transmit information corresponding to a userinput received via the user input interface while the sensing unitoperates in the power saving mode, to control the sensing unit to switchfrom the power saving mode to an active mode in response to sensing aspatial movement of the electronic apparatus by the sensing unit in thepower saving mode, wherein, after the sensing unit switches to theactive mode, the control unit is configured to control the sensing unitto re-switch from the active mode to the power saving mode in responseto receiving a predefined signal via the communication unit from theexternal device while the sensing unit is operating in the active mode,and wherein the sensing unit consumes less power in the power savingmode than in the active mode.
 2. The electronic apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the control unit controls the communication unit totransmit to the external device information about an operation mode ofthe electronic apparatus together with at least one of information aboutthe user input and information regarding the movement of the electronicapparatus.
 3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,while the sensing unit is operating in the active mode, the control unitcontrols the sensing unit to operate in the power saving mode when nomovement of the electronic apparatus is sensed during a predeterminedtime period.
 4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe sensing unit is operable in a first power state and a second powerstate, and wherein, when the sensing unit senses no movement of theelectronic apparatus for a predetermined time duration while the sensingunit is in the first power state, the control unit is configured tocontrol the sensing unit to transition from the first power state to thesecond power state.
 5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 4,wherein less power is consumed in the second power state of the sensingunit than in the first power state of the sensing unit.
 6. Theelectronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the informationcorresponding to the user input is provided in a form other than theinformation corresponding to the sensed movement of the electronicapparatus.
 7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, whereinwhen the sensing unit operates in the power saving mode, the controlunit is further configured to block an electric power which is suppliedto the sensing unit.
 8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1,wherein when the sensing unit operates in the power saving mode, thesensing unit consumes a minimum electric power.
 9. The electronicapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predefined signal receivedfrom the external device comprises information for switching anoperation mode for the sensing unit between the active mode and thepower saving mode.
 10. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the user input interface comprises a plurality of buttonsincluding a four direction button for navigating.
 11. An electronicsystem comprising: a first electronic apparatus comprising: a user inputinterface configured to receive a user input; a sensing unit configuredto sense a movement of the first electronic apparatus; a firstcommunication unit configured to establish communication with a secondelectronic apparatus; and a first control unit configured to control thefirst electronic apparatus to transmit information corresponding to thesensed movement of the first electronic apparatus to the secondelectronic apparatus, to control the sensing unit to operate in a powersaving mode in response to detecting a predefined user input via theuser input interface, to control the first electronic apparatus totransmit information corresponding to a user input received via the userinput interface while the sensing unit operates in the power savingmode, to control the sensing unit to switch from the power saving modeto an active mode in response to sensing a spatial movement of the firstelectronic apparatus by the sensing unit in the power saving mode, andthe second electronic apparatus comprising: a display configured todisplay an image; a second communication unit configured to establishcommunication with the first electronic apparatus; and a second controlunit configured to control the display a pointer based on theinformation corresponding to the sensed movement of the first electronicapparatus and control the second communication unit to transmit signalto the first electronic apparatus, wherein after the sensing unitswitches to the active mode, the first control unit is furtherconfigured to control the sensing unit to re-switch from the active modeto the power saving mode in response to receiving a predefined signalvia the first communication unit from the second electronic apparatuswhile the sensing unit is operating in the active mode, and wherein thesensing unit consumes less power in the power saving mode than in theactive mode.
 12. The electronic system according to claim 11, whereinthe first control unit controls the first communication unit to transmitto the second electronic apparatus information about an operation modeof the first electronic apparatus together with at least one ofinformation about the user input and information regarding the movementof the first electronic apparatus.
 13. The electronic system accordingto claim 11, wherein, while the sensing unit is operating in the activemode, the first control unit controls the sensing unit to operate in thepower saving mode when no movement of the first electronic apparatus issensed during a predetermined time period.
 14. The electronic systemaccording to claim 11, wherein the sensing unit is operable in a firstpower state and a second power state, and wherein, when the sensing unitsenses no movement of the first electronic apparatus for a predeterminedtime duration while the sensing unit is in the first power state, thefirst control unit is configured to control the sensing unit totransition from the first power state to the second power state.
 15. Theelectronic system according to claim 14, wherein less power is consumedin the second power state of the sensing unit than in the first powerstate of the sensing unit.
 16. The electronic apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein, the information corresponding to the user input isprovided in a form other than the information corresponding to thesensed movement of the first electronic apparatus.
 17. The electronicsystem according to claim 11, wherein when the sensing unit operates inthe power saving mode, the first control unit is further configured toblock an electric power which is supplied to the sensing unit.
 18. Theelectronic system according to claim 11, wherein when the sensing unitoperates in the power saving mode, the sensing unit consumes a minimumelectric power.
 19. The electronic system according to claim 11, whereinthe predefined signal received from the second electronic apparatuscomprises information for switching an operation mode for the sensingunit between the active mode and the power saving mode.
 20. Theelectronic system according to claim 11, wherein the user inputinterface of the first electronic apparatus comprises a plurality ofbuttons including a four direction button for navigating.